Paclín Department: Culture, Landscapes and Regional Cuisine
Accommodation in Paclín Department
Paclín Department brings together different ways to shape a trip: in San Antonio, the Sierras and a valley where two rivers meet define the landscape. La Merced is known, among other things, for a historic building, regional produce and natural attractions nearby. The unfinished Túneles de La Merced are another point of interest. This gives you a choice of focus between landscapes, architectural history and regional culture.
Landscapes and activities around San Antonio
San Antonio lies in a valley formed by the Sierras, where two rivers meet. The valley also encompasses the final stretch of the Yungas. Visitors interested in the landscape can focus on several specific features: the surrounding Sierras, the confluence of the rivers and the valley’s distinctive position at the edge of this Yungas area.
On the old road from San Antonio to Balcozna, you can observe flora, fauna and historic estancias amid the Sierras and valleys. The road offers its own way to explore the landscape and traces of earlier estancias during your trip. In San Antonio, hiking the trails is another possible activity. If you want to include different interests in one trip, nature observation and getting out on the trails offer distinct ideas to consider.
A historic building with a new purpose
La Merced is home to the Casona Histórica Wilfrido Figueroa, an emblematic building dating from the end of 1884. In July 2024, after more than 70 years standing empty, it was restored and converted into the Centro Tecnológico y Cultural de Paclín. Its new use connects the history of the house with spaces for different activities.
The Centro has a science laboratory, a robotics classroom and a language room. It also includes a microcinema and spaces for exhibitions and cultural activities. This combination makes the Casona a notable example of how a historic building in the department has been given a new cultural and technological focus. For families, the combination of architectural history, science and robotics can offer different topics for conversation and interest; this describes the Centro’s spaces, not a specific programme.
Natural attractions and getting your bearings around La Merced
The Túneles de La Merced are an unfinished engineering structure in Paclín Department. They lie 56 km northeast of the capital, Catamarca, and 5 km northeast of La Merced. These distances help locate the structure geographically, using the capital and La Merced as two separate reference points. The Túneles offer a different theme from the historic Casona, focusing instead on an unfinished engineering structure.
The Laguna Escondida, a few kilometres from La Merced, is also considered a natural attraction in the department. Together with the Túneles, it adds a nature-focused option. When planning your trip, you can therefore decide whether you are most interested in a natural attraction, an engineering structure or the historic building in La Merced. These places represent different themes and should not be taken to imply a shared visit programme.
Regional produce and choosing what to focus on
Regional sweets and preserves, as well as homemade cheese and quesillo, are made in La Merced. These products add a culinary perspective on the department to its nature and cultural experiences. If local food is one of your travel interests, it offers a reason of its own to include La Merced in your exploration of Paclín Department.
When looking for a holiday apartment, you could first consider which aspects interest you most: the Casona and regional produce in La Merced, Laguna Escondida as a natural attraction, or the landscapes and activities around San Antonio. That way, your choice of focus is guided by the department’s distinct themes, rather than by a general idea of the destination.
More department pages to explore: Departamento Ambato, Departamento Andalgalá, Departamento Santa María, Departamento Antofagasta De La Sierra, Valle Viejo Department, Departamento Tinogasta, Departamento Capayán and El Alto Department.
For the broader travel overview: Catamarca.
